Overview

I am an SAG-AFTRA actor, classically trained singer, writer (song/script), director, & recording artist that can move well. I've performed all over the metro area (NJ/NYC) to sold out crowds at Weddings, concerts, festivals, and shows including Off-Broadway. I sing all genres but I love singing musical theatre, rock, pop, alternative, punk, etc.

I'm also a singing, acting, and performance technique teacher. I been teaching to children-adults (Ages 8-100!) for 15+ yrs.

I'm a hard working, understanding person who just loves to perform and entertain. I can be hired to perform (sing or act) on almost any budget/any occasion. Communication is key with me. I hope to speak/work with you soon!

What to Expect

I can customize your event entertainment to be a concert or show style performance. Either way, I will bring you/your guests full circle emotionally and you/your guests will be left wanting more. In my show/concert style performances, I use either great sounding instrumental tracks or with enough notice, can get a small band to back me up (for a different rate). My song selection is normally very eclectic so there is something for everyone. Of course if you want me to stay away from certain style of music, want me to learn a specific song, or group of songs, that can be arranged. I'm also a script writer and with ample time, can write an original skit to be performed for any occasion. You're the boss.

I've performed at Weddings, Anniversary parties, House warming parties, Fourth of July parties, New Years parties, Holiday parties, Graduations, workshops, clubs, theaters, restaurants, etc. If you want to create a supper club in your restaurant, I can also bring my talent to your place of business!

About

Rachel loves her job! She feels so fortunate that she is able to share her passion of the performing arts through performing, writing, directing, teaching, and mentoring!

Rachel is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, VASTA (The Voice and Speech Trainers Association), NATS (The National Association of Teachers of Singing Certified), NARAS (The Grammy Awards), NAfME (National Association for Music Education), NJMEA (NJ Music Educators Association), MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs), BMI (Broadcast Music Inc), NAMTA (North America Music Teacher Association), and The NJ Theatre Alliance.

Rachel has 20+ years of intense Bel Canto vocal training with a master teacher, 12+ years of musical theatre training, and 10+ years of Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Meisner, and Chekhov acting training (theater/on camera). She has trained at some of NJ’s and NYC’s well respected schools like The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Action Theatre Conservatory, The Barrow Group, Weist-Barron Studios, and TVI Studios.

As a performer, Rachel has 20+ years of experience including originating the role of “Antigone” in “Oedipus: The Musical” (NYC). Other credits include commercials, films, TV shows (One Tree Hill, AMC, Food Network), music videos, and numerous stage credits (Regional, Off-Off Broadway, Off- Broadway, NYC Theatre). Rachel is also a songwriter (16+ years), director, scriptwriter, and an international recording artist (9+ years). Her album, “Just Meant To Be”, is available on itunes and her original singles, “Don’t Even Try” and “You Will Love On”, can be viewed on Youtube. Rachel's new single called "Bond Of Love" (2016) is available on itunes. Rachel won the 2014 “Female Vocalist I Like It Award” for her song “Don’t Even Try” from JPF/SP Promotions/Productions.

Other honors include magazine covers, featured articles, studio recordings, albums, 2002 Helen Hayes Nomination for Outstanding Vocal Performance in a Musical (“Miss Adelaide” in “Guys And Dolls”), and 2008 finalist for NYC Singing Idol Competition. Ms. Menconi has been fortunate to have worked & performed with many people in the business including Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award Winners/Nominees.

As an educator, Rachel has been teaching singing, acting, musical theatre, and performance skills to children, teens, and adults for 15+ yrs. Her students have gone on national tours, released albums, are in bands, have been accepted to performing arts programs and schools (high schools & colleges), have been cast in regional/NYC theatre (Off-Off-Broadway/Off-Broadway), movies (Noah, The Wolf Of Wall Street, Top Five), music videos, commercials (Miller Lite, Beats By Dre, Sleepy's, Optimum Business), and on TV (Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris, The Mysteries Of Laura, Royal Pains, Smash, 30 Rock, The Good Wife, Law and Order: SVU, Orange Is The New Black, Golden Boy, & NBC's The Voice competition).

Whether working in a private lesson or with a group class (small by design), Rachel is able to focus on each student's individual needs and develop their technique and skills at a comfortable pace. Each student is taught slightly differently to accommodate their personal learning style. This helps each student grow as a performer at their own pace. Rachel challenges each student without intimidation and without taking away the part of them that makes each student unique! She teaches healthy technique that is based off of the human anatomy; the science of how the body/mind works and can work as efficiently as possible while singing or acting.

Rachel is also fully background checked with finger printing. She works with the philosophy that both the teacher and student must feel comfortable and work together (like a team) in the private lesson or group class at all times. Without this effort, the student cannot reach their full potential. Rachel's students come from all walks of life but they all want to be the best at their chosen craft. Rachel's ultimate goal as a teacher is to give all of her students what they need to not only become the best artists they can be but to eventually become self-sufficient singers/performers.

Rachel is also the Founder/President of “Sunshine Face” a music publishing company and is a Certified Artist Developer with Conquer Entertainment where she mentors performing artists/singers and gives them the tools to move their careers forward. She also is the creator, teacher, and director of The Rising Stars Musical Theatre program at The Gifted Child Society in Allendale NJ and is the director of the musicals and director of the drama department at Fieldstone Middle School in Montvale NJ.

Since 2014, Rachel has been the show director of a 3 week performing arts summer camp called ArtQuest (funded by The Wayne Education Foundation). She was the director, vocal/musical director and stager for their production of “The Jungle Book Kids” and "The Lion King Kids". Both performances received rave reviews! This summer she was honered to direct, vocal/musical direct, and choreograph "Beauty And The Beast JR"! The show was a huge success!

It's official! Rachel is a world record breaker! She was one of the 200+ featured singers at the Metropolitan Room's (NYC) attempt to get into the Guinness Book Of World Records for The Longest Variety Show (60 hours of non-stop show!) They did it!

Additional Booking Notes

I own a full PA system (with two mixers), five handheld wired mics, four mic stands, 10 lavalier (body) wireless mics, many cables, one music stand, one computer stand, two very loud CD players, one PC laptop, one 15 inch Macbook Pro, HD camera, tripod, "shotgun" mic, three backdrops with stands, and since I have a production company, I have access to videographers, photographers, face painters, balloon animal artists, emcees, hosts, other performers, make up artists, hair stylists, some costume characters, and DJs.

No matter what type of event you plan or your budget is, I will do my best to help your vision come to life.

Services Offered

Set List

Any song can be requested. With ample time, I can't learn to sing any song of your choosing.

Team

Rachel Menconi

Singer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Actress, and Teaching Artist

Influences & Inspiration

Too many names to put. All artists that sing with feeling but can also sing well. All music with a meaning behind it. Broadway, rock, big band, alternative, punk, pop, blues. folk, jazz, standards, etc.

Setup Requirements

A list of all equipment you or the venue has so I know what to bring with me at least a month in advance of the performance.